Knocking noise when driving in rain

[XR6SQ]

Hey guys,

I have a strange issue that has been occurring in the ute when I drive it in the rain. I will get it to a mechanic next pay day to check it out but thought I would see if anyone has had a similar problem.

Pretty much when I drive in rain that's heavy enough to get the under-carriage wet the car starts making a knocking noise. It sounds like it is coming from the front right hand side. The sound only really occurs at low speeds (under 60km/h) and most noticeable when at around 20km/h when going around corners or on bumpy terrain. I can also feel the knocking through my feet slightly. When the car dries out (even within a few minutes of the rain stopping) the noise is gone.

I recently(last week) had both front wheel bearings replaced so hopefully that rules them out.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Cheers

[Mr Hardware]

tough call - not ball joints? does it happen just on the flat or does it happen when cornering or over pot holes?

i often have a knocking noise in the wet too - usually from something in the boot shifting sides in quick succession.

[Bushbasher]

It sounds like a sloppy bush being lubricated by the water and allowing movement that when dry the rubber is grippy enough to not move. Maybe a sway bar bush or perhaps bottom strut mount. Consider something that in the dry is tight enough to hold but when water gets in suddenly begins so move side to side in it's bolt hole. Also, was it making the noise before you changed the wheel bearings? Maybe it's just a stuffed shock leaking a minute amount of oil onto the shaft that water is washing off and causing a little stiction of the shaft. As soon as it stops getting wet the oil re-coats the shaft and the stiction goes away.

Bushbasher